The Vessel, The Shed, and What Else to See at Hudson Yards

On 07
January 2020 by
Merrill Lee Girardeau

Hudson Yards is the state-of-the-art building development, new to the West Side of Manhattan. Larger than Rockefeller Center at 28 acres, this impressive neighborhood contains a climbable monument, a hotel, a mall, an arts space, offices, residences, restaurants, and 14 acres of public space. For decades, this patch of the Hudson River shoreline—from West 30th to 34th Streets, between 10th and 11th Avenue—was a waystation for subway train cars. Now, floating above those trains is a luxurious collection of sights, shops, eats, and the northern terminus of High Line Park. Located between Midtown West and Chelsea, Hudson Yards can be the launching point for your next visit to New York.

Hudson Yards NYC: High Line Park

You already know The High Line as a beloved public space in Chelsea. Now, this converted elevated rail line extends to Hudson Yards and finds its end near the tower at 55 Hudson Yards. Like the southern portions of the park, the new portion of The High Line provides an elegant, walkable space 30 feet from the ground with beautiful greenery, waterfront views, and public art. Now you can walk all the way from The Whitney Museum to the shops at Hudson Yards without battling street traffic!

Hudson Yards NYC: The Vessel

The centerpiece of the plaza at Hudson Yards is Thomas Heatherwick’s climbable—and very Insta-friendly—sculpture: The Vessel. This enormous bronze honeycomb stands at 15 stories tall. From the inside, it’s an intricate chamber of stairs; there are 2,500 steps, 154 flights, and 80 landings in total. See the city anew and take pictures galore inside The Vessel, which requires timed tickets for entry. (Be sure to check the weather before you book, as you’ll be exposed to the elements while you climb.)

Hudson Yards NYC: The Shops at Hudson Yards

The luxury mall at Hudson Yards contains seven floors of fashion, beauty, tech, art, and so much more. The first Neiman Marcus in New York City, occupying three floors, is located here and contains its own vintage shop, flower stand, and multiple restaurants, in addition to luxury beauty and fashion items. Among the nearly 100 stores at The Shops, you’ll find favorite brands like Van Cleef & Arpels, M.A.C., Coach (with corporate headquarters now at 10 Hudson Yards), Aritzia, lululemon, Zara, Pandora, Madewell, and Sephora. Iconic jeweler Tiffany & Co. also has a new location here, and innovative concept stores can also be found among more traditional retailers. At b8ta, for example, you can try out new tech products on site.

Hudson Yards NYC: Edge Observation Deck

The world’s highest outdoor observation deck, Edge, is located at 30 Hudson Yards. Towering 1,100 above street level, this deck extends 65 feet into the air and provide incredible views of Manhattan on one side and the Hudson River on the other. The floor of the deck is made of glass, and there will be angled glass you can lean on for additional thrills. There will also be a large restaurant, Peak, on the 101th floor of 30 Hudson Yards, as well as a champagne bar with an outdoor patio for a top-of-the-world toast. Edge will open March 11, 2020. 20 Hudson Yards, Level 4, 332-204-8500, edgenyc.com

Hudson Yards NYC: The Restaurants at Hudson Yards

There are at least 25 restaurants at Hudson Yards, ranging from fast food to fine dining. Co-curated by chef Thomas Keller (of three-Michelin-starred Per Se), these establishments represent some of the brightest culinary talents. In The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards, check out new ventures from chefs David Chang, Anya Fernald, José Andrés, Costas Spiliadis, P.B. Jacobse, and Michael Lomonaco. Keller himself also has TAK Room, the mid-century Americana restaurant featuring elegant updates on retro cooking.

David Chang’s Momofuku imprint can be found at the new Korean restaurant Kawi, as well as the popular fast food chicken spot, Fuku. The bottom floor of the shopping center is occupied by Mercado Little Spain, the Spanish market with stalls of churros, glasses of sangria, and three separate restaurants to discover sensational Spanish cooking. New York favorites like Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Cookshop, Dylan’s Candy Bar, Jack’s Coffee, and William Greenberg have locations at Hudson Yards as well.

Hudson Yards NYC: The Shed

The Shed is the multidimensional arts venue at Hudson Yards. This incredible hybrid structure serves as equal parts museum, performance space, and public meeting place. An innovative nesting design, The Shed’s transparent outer shell can extend and retract as needed for a variety of events. For a visual aid, visit this page for a very helpful video made by the architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro. On any given week, you can check out a dance performance, an art exhibition, a concert, or a play at this dynamic new cultural center.

The Shed also features a full-service restaurant from Danny Meyer (Union Square Cafe, Shake Shack). This restaurant, Cedric’s at The Shed, is open all day and offer an extensive beverage program as well as sandwiches, salads, and snacks. 545 W 30th St., 646-455-3494, theshed.org

Hudson Yards NYC: Equinox Hotel & Electric Lemon

Equinox is known for its killer gym game; now it’s also a hotel chain. Visit its first location at Hudson Yards, and stay in one of its luxe rooms so you’ll have ready access to the neighborhood’s shops, restaurants, and sightseeing. There’s also a fitness center at Equinox Hotel, as well as a spa and a SoulCycle studio.
On the 24th floor, get healthy, delicious food with an incredible view at Electric Lemon. Stephen Starr of Pastis and Le Coucou created this seasonal restaurant with fresh ingredients and flavors at the forefront. The terrace dining puts the dining experience over the top in warmer months—especially at sunset! Equinox Hotel: 33 Hudson Yards, 212-812-9200, equinox-hotels.com; Electric Lemon: 33 Hudson Yards, 24th Floor, 212-812-9202, electriclemonnyc.com

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